The UCP leader Lyabedzka is suspected in libeling the president (Article 367, part 1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus). The criminal case was instigated in connection with the publication of the newspaper “Narodnaya Volya” in November 2001. In that article Lyabedzka accused the government of Belarus in delivering arms to the rogue states. The politician can be sentenced to an imprisonment from two to four years.

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The chair of the Belarusian Trade Unions Federation Franz Vitko resigns. He announced that on July 12 at a closed sitting of the praesidium ofthe Trade Unouin Federation’s Council, where the problem of the BTF leadership was discussed. According to information of the site “Trade Union Movement Of Belarus” (www.praca.by), Franz Vitko said that it was his own decision to quit, taken independently and not under pressure of the government and his colleagues. His assistant Vadzim Bulhak and the leader of the Defense Arms Trade Union Iryna Shavaliova told about their leaving their job after Vitko.

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On Friday Vladimir Putin came to the building on the Smolenskaya Square to clarify what is the foreign policy conception of Russia today. Russia remains a peaceful state as before, as it is written in all documents, and plans to create relations as equals with any state. The most visible changes have occurred in the relations between Russia and the USA after the September 11. Vladimir Putin confirmed that Russia and the USA cooperation will take plac enot only in the fight with terrorism, but on the whole range of problems. Speaking of the relations with the European Union, he said that the main objectives are construction of a common economical area and dialogue on energy recourses, as well as talks on the Kaliningrad region. Besides, Putin discussed the CIS countries. There are two priorities in this sphere: the European Economical Union and the Treaty On Collective Security. Vladimir Putin said nothing about Belarus.

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The union of Russia and Belarus is to stay a union of the two independent states, said Foreign Ministaer Igor Ivanov answering the questions of the reporters after the consultations of Russian president with ambassadors on Friday. He underlined that Russian FM is carrying out talks now to realize the positions and directions of Russian President. “I think that it is not that we do not understand what we want, but in which way we are to accomplish the goals that where set by the creation of the union state,” - said Ivanov.

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Son of the ex-prime minister ofBelarus Alyaxandar Chyhir is to serve sentence in a hard labour colony in Ivatsevichy (the Brest region). You must remember that the City Court of Minsk left unchanged the verdict to Alyaxandar Chyhir, sentenced to 7 years of imprisonment. Chyhir-junior was accused of stealing cars with the aim of selling their parts. Chyhir-junior’s defense did not agree with the decision of the Minsk city court and is set to appeal against it at all instances, including the Supreme Court.

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In line with the plan of the Common Belarusian-Iraqi commission on trade and economical cooperation a delegation from Iraq headed by Iraqi Vice Prime Minister Abdel Tavvab Mulla Huejsh visits Belarus from 14 to 20 of July 2002. The delegation also consists of representatives of industry ministries, higher education and scientific research of the Republic of Iraq.

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